ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY
Ս. ՆԵՐՍԷՍ ԸՆԾԱՅԱՐԱՆ
Preparing Leaders for Service in the Armenian Church since 1961
Western Diocese Hosts Deacons' Workshop

On Saturday, October 8, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and Vice President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, and the Deacons Council of the Western Diocese hosted a day long Deacons’ Workshop at its diocesan headquarters in Burbank, CA. At their invitation, His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan, former Primate of the Eastern Diocese, presented at two of the sessions and the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, served as the workshop director.

Twenty-five altar servers from the greater Los Angeles area gathered to learn more about their role in the Armenian Church. Abp. Hovnan Derderian presided and offered the welcoming remarks and opening prayer. “The fellowship of the Deacons in a workshop setting has been spiritually most uplifting. In as much as it was an initiative to educate our deacons with the history and theology of our Church, it was also a time to witness the love and dedication of our deacons,” reflected Hovnan Srpazan. “Special thanks to Bishop Daniel and Father Mardiros for bringing the mission of St Nersess Seminary to the Western Diocese.”
After introductions amongst the participants, Bishop Daniel spoke on “This Holy Place: 10 Rules for Deacons”, followed by a Bible Study on “Your Gifts” (I Corinthians 12:4-31). “It was a true pleasure to participate in the Western Diocese’s Deacons’ Workshop in Burbank. I am very grateful to His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian for inviting me to speak to a group of remarkably dedicated deacons,” reflected Bishop Daniel Findikyan. “They are faithful, eager to learn, and eager to grow in their service to our Lord and His Holy Church. I look forward to having the opportunity to work with them again toward those noble ends.” 

After lunch, Bishop Daniel presented another engaging session, this time on “How the Badarak Works.” Before the workshop ended, the participants and presenters jointly reviewed what was discussed during the day and answered questions and offered their comments and thoughts. Everyone participated in an evening service, followed by concluding remarks by Hovnan Srpazan.
“It was so gratifying to see so many altar servers desiring to gather for a day to further deepen their knowledge of liturgical practice and theology,” commented Fr. Mardiros Chevian. “They all deserve to be acknowledged. I am grateful to Hovnan Srpazan and the Deacons Council for organizing this event. We look forward to further collaboration.”

On Sunday, Fr. Mardiros attended Badarak at St. Peter Armenian Church of Van Nuys, CA, where the pastor, the Rev. Fr. Shnork Demirjian celebrated Divine Liturgy. Following Badarak, Bishop Daniel joined the celebratory banquet, marking the 30th Anniversary of Der Shnork’s ordination to the priesthood. Der Shnork is a 1991 graduate of St. Nersess Seminary.
During his visit, Fr. Mardiros also had the opportunity to meet several times with Hovnan Srpazan to discuss the work of St. Nersess Seminary. He shared the seminary's gratitude for Srpazan's full support and commitment.
Support the Seminary This Fall!
Dear St. Nersess Supporter,

As we progress through the Fall Semester, I would like to share how your support continues to benefit our seminarians in their education and how our programs reach many beyond our campus.

  • We have seven full-time students this semester, including five who are on the priestly track, one in diaconate studies, and the other in religious studies. Three students hail from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church. We also have three part-time students studying in person and remotely. We wish them all success as they progress through their studies.

  • This summer was a step in a positive direction in a post pandemic world, as we welcomed the youngest leaders in our church communities to grow in faith and character in four well attended and staffed programs.

  • At the four-day Youth Choir Workshop, participants ages 13-17 learned the hymns of our Yegmalian Divine Liturgy. Their sincere interest in learning and singing our liturgy in  4-part harmony made the inaugural program a success. The workshop will be extended to five days next year and is underwritten by the Yn. Diane Chevian Memorial Fund.

  • Our week-long High School Summer Conference educated and inspired high school students from our Eastern and Western Dioceses, through Armenian language classes, Badarak music lessons, Bible Studies, and lectures and discussions on faith topics. The students formed lifelong friendships and valuable connections with clergy and lay leaders.

  • The Deacons’ Training Program, offered in both the Eastern and Western Dioceses, helped altar servers learn how to participate in the liturgical services of the Armenian Church. Participants spent the week reviewing chants, hymns, and liturgics of the Badarak, as well as obtained invaluable theological explanations behind our sacred rituals. This training is critical for service to the church and our communities.

  • Through our Deacons’ Training Program in Jerusalem, deacons and subdeacons were selected to travel to the Holy Land during the first two weeks of August. There they studied the most integral week of the Armenian Liturgical calendar, Avak Shapat, at the seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The pilgrimage combined an educational program with the opportunity to visit the holy sites of our Lord's birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension.

With your renewed support, we will be able reach our spiritual and educational goals for the 2022-23 academic year. Your gift directly impacts the education and training available for our seminarians, as well as supports the many other programs the seminary offers.

Please make your gift today on our website. Thank you for your continued dedication and support to strengthen the leadership and community of our Church.

With prayers,
Fr. Mardiros Chevian
Dean
Yn. Diane Chevian Memorial Youth Choir Workshop
High School Summer Conference
Deacons' Training Program, Armonk, NY
Deacons' Training Program, Jerusalem
Part II - 2022 Fall Zoom Public Lecture Series Starts October 20!

Join us for Part II of our 2022 Fall Zoom Public Lecture Series on Thursday evenings at 7pm. All lectures are open to the public. Attendees may participate in one or all of the sessions. Please use the Zoom link to register.
 
October 20 - December 8, 2022 at 7pm
with Dr. Jesse S. Arlen
Zhamakirk Available

Published in Jerusalem, this book is a convenient size (4" x 6") with clear print and is nicely bound. Great ordination or holiday gift for altar servers!

Cost: $23 (includes shipping). Slightly higher fees apply if ordered online.

Click here to order online or mail a check made payable to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary to St. Nersess Seminary, 486 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504.
Leave Your Legacy!
 

Recognize or Honor a family member or friend on our Founders Garden pathway, located on a pedestrian footpath in front of the Theological Center, or on our Prayer Garden Pathway, located in a secluded area adjacent to the Theological Center.

Your donation of a personalized engraved brick will support the education of priests and non-ordained leaders for ministry in the Armenian Church in North America and beyond. 

Join Our Leadership Circle!
 
Our Leadership Circle of donors want the best for St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and the future of the Armenian Church in America. Your moral and financial leadership empowers us to continue to strengthen our rich tradition of educating, engaging, and preparing leaders for service in the Armenian Church.
 
St. Nersess Seminary is important to the future of the Armenian Church in North America. The seminary provides a quality theological education that is firmly rooted in the faith and traditions of our Holy Armenian Church while fully utilizing the technological resources of the 21st century. Through graduate-level education and spiritual formation, St. Nersess prepares priests for today’s Church and, as a seminary that welcomes women and men, we prepare non-ordained ministers for service in youth ministry and education.
 
GUARDIAN ANGEL
$10,000/annually
 
GUARDIAN
$5,000/annually
 
PROTECTOR
$2,500/annually
 
SHEPHERD
$1,000/annually
 
HARVESTER
$500/annually
 
CARETAKER
$250/annually
 
Gifts can be made on a quarterly or monthly basis. Thank you and God bless you for your support and commitment to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. All donors are recognized on our website.